Kanye West, the rapper and Yeezy founder, has publicly apologised for the harm caused by his antisemitic remarks and erratic conduct, marking one of his most direct acknowledgements of responsibility to date. The apology was published as a full-page open letter titled“To Those I’ve Hurt”inThe Wall Street Journal, funded by his fashion brand Yeezy.
In the letter, West attributed much of his past behaviour to untreated mental health issues, particularly bipolar disorder, which he said caused him to lose touch with reality. He revisited a serious car accident in 2002, explaining that injuries to his jaw and right frontal lobe went undetected for years and later contributed to his bipolar type-1 diagnosis in 2023.
West described how manic episodes distorted his perception, making him feel powerful and unstoppable while impairing judgment. He acknowledged that the condition convinced him he did not need help and led to decisions he now deeply regrets. Reflecting on being publicly labelled “crazy,” he criticised the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and highlighted research showing reduced life expectancy among those affected.
Expressing remorse for his personal relationships, West admitted he hurt those closest to him, including his four children with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. He said his refusal to address his illness worsened the situation over time.
Addressing his most controversial actions, West stated that his unstable mental state pushed him toward destructive symbols, including the swastika, which he described as reckless and rooted in poor judgment. He acknowledged gaps in memory from that period and accepted responsibility for the damage caused.
West’s apology follows years of public backlash, including the termination of Adidas’ partnership with Yeezy in 2022 after antisemitic remarks, ongoing legal disputes, and renewed criticism over offensive social media posts. While reactions to the apology remain mixed, the statement represents a rare moment of reflection from the artist amid continued scrutiny.
